.

World Cup will go ahead–BCCSL

Due to the sudden curfew imposed in the Colombo Municipal area and the Dehiwela-Mt. Lavinia Municipal areas from 6th night to the following afternoon, the BCCSL would like to inform the media and the general public of the following facts.

• The BCCSL is pleased to confirm that the Under 19 World Cup 2000 will go ahead as planned. Twelve of the sixteen participating countries are presently in Sri Lanka and the balance countries, namely Australia, England, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe, will be arriving in the country as per schedule in the course of the next two days.

• Of the practice matches scheduled for Friday the 7th January 2000, the following matches are now in progress. New Zealand vs. Puttalam District at the St. Joseph’s College Grounds, Kenya vs. Police Defense Services at the Police Park grounds. All other matches have been cancelled and the teams will instead have net practice.

Sri Lanka gears for three sevens tournaments

 A 40 member pool has been picked to go in for training for three rugby sevens tournaments. The first will be the Malaysian International Rugby Sevens, to be held March 3-5, 2000, in Malaysia. The Hong Kong Sevens is scheduled for March 24-25 and the Japanese World Series Sevens, April 1-2.

The following players who are in the ‘pool’ are requested to attend the trials scheduled to be held on Monday the 10th January 2000 at 4.00 p.m. at CR & FC grounds, 28, Longden Place, Colombo 7.

The national selectors will be in attendance to pick the national squad after the trials.

Each player is required to bring along with him two jersies - one striped and the other a plain.

The names of the players are as follows:—

Nazeem Mohamed, Manjula Samith, Saranga Jayakody, Jude Pillai, Shyam Subulla. (CH & FC)

A. Majeed, Shamly Nawaz, Nalin Wijegunawardene, Shavantha de Saram, Duminda de Silva, Kapila Silva, Alfred Hensman, Dilshard Ansari, Bandula Mallikararachchi, Asanga Rodrigo, Haren Perera. (CR & FC)

Nishantha Chanaka, Kelum Senaratne, Leonard de Zylva, Sanjeewa Jayasinghe, Yuganthara Karunaratne. (Havelocks SC)

J. M. Jayasuriya, S. Karunaratne, Kapila Knowlton. (Army SC)

Pradeep Basnayake, Haris Omar, I. Bandaranayake, P. Wekadapola, Nilufer Ibrahim, Radhika Hettiaratchchi, Sajith Mallikaratchchi, Sameera Silva, Manjula Pathirana, Lasantha Wijesuriya, Nalaka Weerakkody. (Kandy SC), Rangika Ranasinghe. (DMCC), Janaka B. de Silva. (I.M.V.), J. C. Vithanage. (Kingswood), B. D. M. Fernando. (Prince of Wales, Ajantha Rodrigo. (Police SC)

Hameedia official clothier to Sri Lanka cricket team

Sri Lanka Cricket Board has appointed Hameedia the official clothier to the under 19 cricket World Cup.

A spokesman for Hameedia said that they were pleased on this appointment to serve cricket better. Under-19 cricket would be "the future of world cricket" and we are proud to be associated with Sri Lanka cricket at this level, he added.

Our selection was not automatic or by default. We understand the Cricket Board has had screened other prospects. We are honoured, and this would only go to enhance our commitment to quality, superior service. And to foster our relationships with the Cricket Board.

 It is our conviction that Sri Lanka will make a stronger impact in the world of cricket with the abundant supply of young talent.

This is not the first occasion, Hameedia has been granted the "official clotheir" status. We were the "official clotheir" for the Wills World Cup in 1996 followed by Emirates World Cup in 1999.

Have your say
Why were U-19 Thomians ignored for Youth World Cup?

Your sports page of January 6 had an interesting caption. "Thomians stun Nalanda..." with the story below recording how Nalanda were routed for 149 and 111 and STC had romped home with 9 wickets to spare-surprised? One should not be.... unless you belong to that tribe of cricket selectors and named the squad for the Under-19 World Cup.

It would appear that emphasis has been made on past representative honours — e.g. experience in earlier Youth Mini World Cups etc. and not on present prowess, ability, potential etc. which should have been a logical and fair yardstick.

Recent cricketing achievements by S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia have been quite phenomenal, especially in junior cricket-being at the top in the island’s Under-15 & Under-17, apart from outclassing Royal quite comprehensively last year. Most of those champion and no doubt well coached young Thomian cricketers are in their Under-19 side.

It defies logic therefore that not a single Thomian was considered good enough for selection to that magical circle of ‘cricketers of tomorrow’ which a particular paper is fond of describing our Youth World Cup ‘poolists’ — that same newspaper incidentally gave zero publicity to the Thomians’ stunning victory over Nalanda Vidyalaya.

Are the ‘forces’ which stalled the inclusion of Peterite Russel Arnold (he should have been a ‘regular’ two years earlier) and effectively shut the door on Nisal Fernando at work, still? Remember how a former Thomian skipper, Peiris who was in the original Under-19 national squad had his name inexplicably deleted on the eve of departure to the UK?

Let the best on current form, technique, temperament and potential play for our nation!

Dyan Seneviratne
Nuwara-Elya

Sri Lankan women cricketers Indian tour
Good opportunity to prepare for World Cup — Gwen Herat

by Dhammika Ratnaweera
Sri Lankan women’s cricket team will leave for India today (January 9) to take part in a one day womens cricket match series. "This will be a good opportunity for the preparation of next women’s world cup cricket tournament which will be held next August," said President of Womens Cricket Association, Gwen Herat in an exclusive interview to the ‘Sunday Island’, yesterday.

Gwen Herat the former North Western Provincial Council member also emphasised that they tried to promote womens cricket, hence they always was in contact with the International Womens Cricket Council (IWCC). When the last women’s world cup cricket tournament was held in Australia I took part in the IWCC Congress that was very important and next August she said she also is expected to participate at the IWCC Congress in New Zealand. She also pointed out after the Hyderabad cricket tournament in India our women’s cricket team expect to tour Bangladesh. She also expressed Sri Lanka is very confident of winning the world cup and in this context must get more international experience.

Guy de Alwis the former national wicket-keeper guides the women cricketers and he was the man behind their success," said Gwen Herat. She is the only lady in the Asian region so far to write two books on cricket.

"World Cup preparation is very important. In our debut in women’s world cup in Australia in 1997 our women cricketers excelled. They are a much improved side now and expect to give a better performance this time.

Rasanjali de Silva from Slimline (Pvt) Ltd will lead the Sri Lankan cricket team to tour India today. Sudarshani Shivanathan the deputy skipper and wicket-keeper Kalpana Liyanarachchi who is also from Slimline (Pvt) Ltd, Dedunu de Silva, Gayathri Liyanage are the experienced players in the side. 14 women cricketers with two officials, Guy de Alwis (coach) and Cristable Tillekaratne Manageress will accompany the team.

Bonanza for under-priviledged schools from SL Cricket Assn. in UK

Reggie Goonewardene Moratuwa Correspondent
The Youth between the ages of 10 to 15 years of age from the under-priviledged schools are in for a cricketing bonanza with the launching of the Cricket Coaching Clinics by the Sri Lanka Cricket Association in the United Kingdom in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association.

The proposal put forward by its President SLCAUK Upali de zoysa who heads a solicitors firm based in the United Kingdom, having deliberated with the Schools Cricket Association in Sri Lanka had appointed a committee to implement the proposal. Eminent sports personalities of the calibre of Sunil de Silva the Director of Sports of Prince of Wales College had been appointed as the co-ordinator and enlisted the assistance of Brendon Kuruppu a National Selector and W. A. N. Silva a former National Coach.

Initially the association plans in holding 8 coaching clinics in the first year 2000/01 around March/April in Ratnapura, Kandy, Galle and Kurunegala followed with a tournament between the four provinces playing for the SLCAUK Challenge Trophy. In the second year it will take on the other 4 provinces and a final tournament between all 8 provinces. Travelling arrangements for the transport of the officials and the youngsters for the coaching clinics will be handled by courtesy of Andrews Travels.

The association has already earmarked 200 schools and will select 60 boys for each clinic which will be held for two days. The boys will be accompanied with their respective coaches too who will also benefit from the coaching methods used at the clinics. The total cost of these clinics will be funded by the SLCAUK and have already earmarked over Rs. 1 million on the project.

The SLCUK founded in 1984 was instigated by the then High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in the United Kingdom, Chandra Monarawila with the prime object of assisting the visiting Sri Lanka Cricket Teams and other cricketers to gain recognition in the United Kingdom cricketing arena. The cricket loving Sri Lankans resident in the UK are funding the association and have promised in sponsoring young talented and buddying test cricketers with facilities to gaining experience and acquainting with the climatic conditions in the United Kingdom. Amongst the youngsters who found place with the Midland Cricket League and ended up with great success are Champaka Ramanayake, Athula Samarasekera, Dhammika Bulankulame and Dhammika Ranatunga to name a few. The association has also contributed towards the National Coaching Team with medical equipment for national and junior cricketers.

The launching of the coaching clinics was briefed under the courtesy of the Intercontinental Hotel with the participation of Upali de zoysa president, (SLCAUK) Sunil de Silva, W. A. N. Silva, Brendon Kuruppu, B. S. Perera (SLCA) and others.

Wijayabahu Motorcross today

by Dhammika Ratnaweera
A total of 14 events is scheduled to be worked off in the first ever Wijayabahu Motorcross organised by the Sri Lanka Army Motor Sports Committee and the Wedi Racing Club which will be held today at 9 a.m. at Boyagane Estate, Kurunegala’s newly built track.

Auto Plaza Ananda International will sponsor this motorcross and all funds are expected to be used for the Wijayabahu Regiment Disabled soldiers wellfare work.

Gamini Gunatileka Manager of Auto Plaza Ananda International said the events of 50 cc, 125 cc, 250 cc unlimited, 4 stroke and motor cycle open events will be worked off today at newly built 1 1/2 km track. All leading riders including Ananda and Udesh Wedisinghe, Jeffrey Buultjens, Kevin Buultjens, Rehan Buultjens and Priyanga Wijetunga are expected to take part.

For the first time a one hour motorcycle open endurance race will be conducted in the Wijayabahu motorcross. In addition Novices 125 cc and 250 cc races, Racing class 125 cc, 250 cc, 80 cc will also be conducted today.

Sri Lanka Racing Riders Association gives their full support for these events. This will be a good opportunity for Kurunegala spectators to witness motorcross events.

Another bowler goes down under in down under

by Mahinda Wijesinghe
So Shoaib Akhtar, the Rawalpindi Express, one of the most exciting cricketers to emerge in this decade is the latest scapegoat of the throwing controversy. And, as expected, the scandal erupted in Australia, where else? As the old ditty goes: "It always happens in......"

It appears that the mandarins in the ICC Throwing Committee has decided that Shoaib’s ‘faster’ delivery does not pass muster. To the normal onlooker, the Pakistani paceman’s action looks quite legitimate. Possibly, the slo-mo camera, one of the latest equipment being used in cricket, may have revealed a blip in his action. Remember, Shoaib has played 13 Tests and 26 One-day Internationals and was ‘passed’ by umpires of the calibre of David Shepherd and Peter Willey (England), Steve Bucknor (West Indies) et al. But, reportedly it was Match Referee John Reid of New Zealand who blew the whistle after the Pakistan - Australia Test series in November.

Sir Garfield Sobers and Harold Larwood

Come to think of it, without in anyway trying to condone - if they are doing it deliberately - very few fast bowlers actions will appear to be lawful when they bend their backs that additional bit to bowl the faster delivery. I remember Sir Garfield Sobers mentioning that even the action of the main bowler who was responsible for Bodyline bowling in 1932-33, England’s Harold Larwood, when viewed from behind the bowler’s arm was extremely doubtful. If my memory serves me right, the West Indians came to this conclusion, Sir Gary said, whilst watching an old black and white (it was the Ashes series played in Australia in 1932-33) film screened at the residence of the man against whom Bodyline was master-minded - Sir Donald Bradman. More recently, it was reported that former Australian paceman Jeff Thomson who has reportedly bowled the fastest delivery recorded, and whose record Shoaib was after, said that very few bowlers’ action will be declared legitimate, if authorities go on this type of witch-hunt.

The first to be called for ‘throwing’

To begin with, the problem of ‘chucking or throwing’ will always remain so long as the game of cricket is played. It began the day, on 15 July 1822 to be exact and at Lord’s cricket ground no less. John Willes, playing for Kent against M.C.C. experimented for the first time with round-arm bowling - from the prevalent under-arm style - and was promptly no-balled by the umpire for ‘throwing’! However, the MCC bowed to player pressure and legalised round-arm bowling in 1828. After staging three experimental matches between Sussex and England round-arm bowling was incorporated into a revision of the Laws in 1835. Now bowlers were allowed to raise their hand level with their elbow. Over-arm bowling, or bowling as it is today, came later.

When over-arm bowling was legalised

Some bowlers started experimenting with over-arm bowling in first-class cricket when the umpires allowed it. Yes, the umpires were not hide-bound in those laid-back days. Again it was a bowler from Kent, Edgar Willsher, who was first to be no-balled for bowling over-arm. Opening the bowling for England against Surrey at the Oval, on 26th August 1862, Willsher was no-balled by umpire, John Lillywhite causing the England team to leave the field. Lillywhite was replaced as umpire and Willsher, thus reprieved, captured 6/49! Eventually, on 10 June 1864, over-arm bowling was legalised.

So, that is a brief history of how bowling evolved - from under-arm to over-arm - along with the pioneering ‘culprits’ who were accused of ‘throwing’.

Jim Laker in the middle of a darts match

Akhtar’s problem is nothing new, Muralitharan was an earlier victim (almost). When England toured Australia in 1958-59, Australia was plagued with chuckers. Ian Meckiff, Gordon Rorke, Keith Slater, Jim Burke had doubtful actions as Test level while there were others such as the South Australian opening bowlers, Trethewy and Pitchcocks doing the same at Sheffield Shield matches. Jim Laker, the famed England off-spinner who toured Australia that season had this to say of Meckiff, in his autobiography:

"Meckiff, a left-arm bowler, throws all the time. Throwing is an essential part of his action so much so that if he tried to bowl fairly, I think he would do well to get a place in his local Grade side...."

About Jim Burke, here’s Laker’s view:

"Everyone knows that Burke throws. He cheerfully admits it himself. And yet he regularly takes four or five wickets for his club side every Saturday throughout the season. Nobody seems to mind. I vividly remember batting in the Brisbane Test with Meckiff on one end and Burke at the other. "It’s like standing in the middle of a darts match," I told Neil Harvey. Neil doubled up."

The most complex question in cricket

In 1960, the ICC held an all-important meeting on the question of throwing. Don Bradman was one of the Australian delegates. At the end of the conference the Don declared: "It is the most complex question I have known in cricket, because it is not a matter of fact, but of opinion and interpretation. It is so involved that two men of equal goodwill and sincerity could take opposite views."

That was in 1960. Four decades down the track the scenario is different. With so much of money in the air, there still "men with equal goodwill and sincerity?" To pinpoint only the faster delivery as illegal and thereafter ‘hang’ the man is akin to witch-hunting by supposed puritans. Questions can be raised as to how and who prepares the evidence on which such judgement is passed? Also, today can such decisions based merely on an internationally linked telephone conference amongst officials justifiably decide on a player’s career?

I should think not. We all should think not. It is time, without trying to bring in a racial slant, the Asian Cricket Conference aired their views on the matter to the ICC.

In last Sunday’s article by Mahinda Wijesinghe titled,’Of Kapil Dev and cricketing criminals’,the following concludingparagraphs had got omitted,’Believe me,more often than not the cameras will show that the poor umpire using his human faculties is right!

Criminals or cricketers?

There is a huge ballyhoo being made about the so-called millennium.Let us hope when the year 2000 dawns,players,mainly the internationals,will try their best to be known as cricketers,not mercernaries who made their packet by outwitting not only their opposition but also the law-enforcers,the umpires.

In society,those who try to outwit the law-enforcers-namely the Police-are termed criminals.Surely,cricketers wou;ld not want to be tagged with the same label?

The tallest test cricketer who made batsmen hop

by Mahinda Wijesinghe
At 6ft. 8 ins. Barbadian, Joel ‘Big-Bird’ Garner would have been an ideal candidate to be a professional basketball player in the United States. But, if you are born in the idyllic 166 square miles of the island of Barbados in the eastern Carribean, famous for its beaches and its rich heritage of cricketers, the chances are that cricket will stake her claim first. So, Garner eventually became the tallest man to have played Test cricket, and one in the chain of a string of mean fast bowlers the West Indians produced around the 1980s, and which greatly enabled them to dominate world cricket in that era.

Barbados is the island that has produced Sir Garfield Sobers, the greatest of them all. The three W’s, Weekes, Worrell and Walcott too were proud sons of Barbados. So, when ‘stars’ of this calibre dazzle in such a small space, the youngsters are bound to be affected. From the time they can remember the youngsters in the island would be playing cricket, and Garner was no exception. On the streets, on the beaches, anywhere where there was space - and sometimes when there was hardly any’ - cricket used to be the name of the game. This process, from school, into the Barbados youth team, then to the full Barbados side and finally into the Test team, took a decade. His mentors during this growing up stage were none other than two of the greatest fast bowlers the West Indies produced, namely Wesley Hall and Charlie Griffith who created havoc amongst international batsmen in the 1960’s. "At school we had Seymour Nurse and Everton Weekes as the main coaches, and sometimes Manny Martindale," said Garner. "We knew they were great players and we all wanted to get as far as they’d done. It was Charlie who made me change my action. I used to deliver with a roundarm, double swing which he said would not do at all. In a few months I was doing it the correct way." After the initial grooming from the past greats, his progress was simply amazing.

As is the case in many an international cricketer, the first steps were taken in league cricket in England where, in 1976, Garner played for Littleborough in the Central Lancashire League. In his first season, he captured a staggering 100 wickets at under 13 apiece, and within two years his all- round abilities took them to the top of the table. A star was in the making. Then Somerset took notice of the gangling paceman and he was signed up by the cider county.

Though tall and apparently ungainly, Garner was strongly built and very athletic. He had a relatively short run-up and remarkable control. His action produced steepling bounce and he could cut and swing the ball with ease. His height gave him an added advantage and made the batsman hop. As former England captain Mike Brearely once commented: "The trouble is that Garner’s hand delivers over the top of the sightscreeen, which makes him impossible to sight early. When you have one ball getting up chest high and another coming in at your toenails it’s jolly difficult to survive, especially when you’re looking for quick runs as we were." Brearley was referring to the final of the World Cup final in 1979. Batting first the West Indians scored 286/9 in 60 overs. In reply, England openers Brearley (64) and Boycott (57) put on 129 runs for the first wicket but took too long on their job. Facing the quartet of Roberts, Holding, Croft and Garner was no easy task, and when Brearley left, England had to score 158 in 22 overs. It was not going to be easy by any means. Then Garner (5/38) and Croft (3/42) struck. During his final spell, (Garner captured 5 wickets for 4 runs in 11 balls and was twice on a hat-trick and, for good measure, clean bowled four of his victims - Gooch (32), Gower (0), Larkins (0) and Old (0).

Luck played its part when he took his first steps into the West Indies Test side. Injuries to Michael Holding and Wayne Daniel enabled Garner make his Test debut against Pakistan in their home series in 1977 when he claimed 25 wickets at 27.52 including 8/148 at Georgetown in the Third Test. In the first two Tests against Australia, in the 1977/78 series, he took 13 wickets including 8/103 at Bridgetown before the Packer revolution took over.

In 1979, Garner played a significant role in Somerset’s double success. In the Gillette Cup final, Garner captured 6/29. In the 43 overs he bowled during the tournament’ he reaped a harvest of 17 wickets for a mere 92 runs. In the John Player League which Somerset won, Garner captured 16 wickets for 296 runs in 96 overs. Brian Rose the Somerset captain found the West Indian quite an easy man to handle: "He is never a broody howler. There’s no fuss or bother, although he does not really appreciate being told not to bowl short. But we’ve all been thumping it in to him to keep it up and results have been marvellous."

A shoulder injury hampered him for a short while but he came back with a vengeance and was a fixture in the West Indian side during their pomp and was a central figure when they had 11 consecutive Test wins.

He was no slouch with the bat either having made a first-class hundred (104) against Gloucestershire for the 1980 West Indies touring side. A friendly and popular character, Garner was awarded the MBE for his services to cricket and played his last Test, against England, in 1986. Later he was the coach of the West Indies ‘A’ team. As Christopher Martin-Jenkins wrote: "Joel ‘Big-Bird’ Garner was not just a fast bowler but a very accomplished one..."

How the ‘Martial Arts’ evolved itself

Martial artist, H.Douglas Peiris, a member of the International Martial Arts Federation, International Federation of Wado-Ryu Karate Do-Organisation and founder member of thye Asian Martial Arts Research Centre of Sri Lanka in conversation with Srian Obeyesekere

In a continuation of the ‘History of the World Martial Arts’, this week history has it that a form of combat known as Indian boxing was introduced to China 3000 years BC. It is considered to be the very first instance where combat arts were introduced from country to country. Likewise, Indian forms of combat were introduced to Malaysia and Indonesia. It is also believed that fighting techniques were introduced to countries like Burma, Thailand and Vietnam in around 900 BC.

History has it that Chinese forms of combat were taken to Thailand and Burma in 470 BC. As did the martial arts evolve from India to China, it spread from China to Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam.

In 1630, the Korean art was evolved in Japan and thereafter to several other countries.

The Chinese martial arts were exchanged, by Mongolia and vise a versa and gradually to the Soviet Union, Afghanistan and Iran.

Significantly, it is believed that in about 4000 BC, a form of combat was evolved for the benefit of soldiers, according to inscriptions on pyramids in Egypt and these forms were also evolved to further develop Chinese fighting techniques in boxing. History has it that there existed ancient techniques in Greece and Mesapotamia which could be compared to contemporary boxing and wrestling. Considered to be a heritage of Westerners, these fighting techniques have developed down the ages. So much so that they have been embraced as a form of boxing by today’s Europeans.

(To be continued)

Lankans train at Krishnan Tennis Centre

The Sri Lanka Tennis Association organised a ‘development based training stint’ at the Ramesh Krishnan Tennis Centre [KTC] in Chennai, India. The seventeen players participated, of which 8 were selected from junior rankings and were given partial to full scholarship. All the players were between 10 to 16 of age. The group was accompanied by George Paldano as the Coach/Manager of this evaluation and fact finding mission.

Ramesh Krishnan, who was appointed Davis Cup Captain for India last week, and held 21 in the World Ranking in early 1990, is the man behind this successful training centre. His father, the Indian Tennis legend Ramanathan Krishnan 62, winner of Ceylon National title in 1958, appears every afternoon to work out the juniors. Many of our players had this rare opportunity. Many players from the centre are already in the Indian Rankings. At present, the number of players training at KTC looks very strong. One can easily expect many from the centre to dominating the Indian Tennis scene in time to come. They range from 12 to 18 years. Under 16 and 18 players also play the men’s ITF and ATP satellite Tournaments.

George Paldano who has played many times in India said the purpose of sending our juniors were based on very important reasons, as far as Sri Lankan Tennis is concerned. According to him, "our tennis is isolated". We do not have senior ‘satellite’ tournaments. India has this; as a result, Indian tennis is closer to that of the world standard. Our players have no opportunity to experience stronger challenge unless we leave the island. The only economical way to uplift our BASE STANDARD is to connect ourselves to India. Any other destination will cost a great deal more with limitations in exposure. Going to India is nothing new. It has been happening since the 1950’s. We seem to have forgotten this important link in our recent development thinking. Arjan Perera, Chairman Coaching and Promotion thought about reviving this as he himself has experienced the Indian Circuit. Lalith Withana, Chairman, Finance committee, of the SLTA too has placed training programmes in the priority list. Especially when it is concerning the juniors. The "SLTA will allocate funds for such training programmes" was his bold assertion.

Secondly our players rarely put the necessary number of hours and the necessary intensity, which is paramount for development. Being cut off from other involvements for 20 days our juniors practised six hours a day. The morning schedule began 6 am on court. After a warmup, players were allotted to courts by the resident coach Parama Hamsa former Indian ranked player. Ramesh Krishnan supervised Work program from this point on. The Indian players from the centre joined in and the next 10 minutes are for knock up. First part of the session is concentrated on feeding exercises. There are eleven courts in the centre. Nine feeders with 120 balls per court start work. The feeding is based on different aspects on each of the court. Players are shifted around in the next 90 minutes according to the evaluation done by Ramesh Krishnan. The last 60 minutes of the morning sessions are for rallies. No session finishes without either rally work or match play. Players return around 9.15 for breakfast. The afternoon sessions begin at 2.30. There were some feeding sessions in the afternoon. Most of the Indian players arrive around three and 75% of the work is to gain control over the rallies. This is where a player discovers himself. In the afternoon session our players played games against the Indians. There are around 40 Indian players registered at the centre. The ‘markers’ who serve as feeders were good players and gave valuable match practice to the Juniors. KTC is also the home of the 11 member ADIDAS INDIA TENNIS TEAM. On Saturday and Sunday both sessions were for match play. There was a very strong emphasis on match play training. Afternoon Session finishes at 5.30, followed by a physical at the end of the day.

Ramesh Krishnan’s player evaluation is based on the experience he had in the professional circuit, on his way to be ranked 21 in the world. His approach is not to look "picture perfect" but to be effective during match play. This practical approach of his paid off well in the last 5 years. According to George Paldano his comments on our players were interesting. Naming Mahesha Seneviratne, Dinesh Kanthan, Harshana Godamanne, Amrith Rupasinghe, Nishendren, Chavi Thalagalla, Shasivaran Sabanathan and Franklin Emmanuel, he said their development up to now is good. Potentially they have everything others of their age, anywhere in the world. They show very low level of match experience and control over their approach to play serious tennis. His reference was toward the level of responsibility a player exhibits when they are left alone to practice. All this could change if they play good tournaments round the year. Ramesh and Ramanathan, both recommended playing more tournaments in India. Another salient question he placed was how far are they willing to go? "Limited engagement up to the first public exam does not create good tennis players. These matters must be addressed in the future," George Paldano said.

Air Marshal Ayer is the chief administrator of the centre. He could be seen doing 7 km run at 5 30 am at the age of 75. He is also the last man to leave after 5.30. Between these hours he sees that the center works. In the strict sense of the word ‘WORK’.

George Paldano looked into the Indian Tournament Calendar. He said, during this visit we had match and tournament play only at KTC. However for the future the format of travel will be different. After two weeks training the players will go for a few tournaments. He has contacted the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association and the Indian Tennis Association, in this regard. "The Indian Circuit" has changed. The old format does not exist any more. The current format tournaments begin in the second week of October and goes on till the last week of May. The Under 14, 16 and some 18 tournaments are conducted by the All India Tennis Association [AITA]. There are up to 7 International Tennis Federation, [ITF] London, under 18 tournaments. Men’s, women’s and veterans are mix of ITF Satellites and Futures; ATP Challengers [Association of Tennis Professionals]; AITA ranking tournaments; Very few are conducted by the state associations. All these are prize money tournaments. Total prize money in India annually is around US$ 500,000. Most of tournaments are 32 main draw, which means unless ranked, players will have to go through qualifying rounds. To participate in these tournaments players must be registered with AITA for Indian Rupees 500/- for five years. Tournament is not responsible for hospitality and travel as it used to be.

While in India George Paldano has got in touch with other Tennis Centres. C G K Boopathy former Indian Davis Cup player, played many times in Sri Lanka and father of the current world doubles No. 1 Mahesh Boopathy, has a centre in Bangalore, Mayur Vasant has been having a successful centre in Bombay. Bombay is well known for Indian Women’s tennis. Kawajeet Singh has a camp in Chandigarh. Current Indian men’s, under 16 and 18 title holders are from Chandigarh. CEO of Tamil Nadu Tennis Association Hiten Goshi conducts a camp for the association in Chennai. All India Tennis Association has a camp in New Delhi. Balram Singh who has also played in Sri Lanka is in charge of this. The secretary of the All Indian Tennis Association is Shayam Minotra who was a regular to the island to play our nationals and Davis Cup. There are many possible avenues to develop our players in India and to gain tournament practice in the future.

All participants returned home playing better tennis, more understanding of the game and commitment needed to be a good tennis player.

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